Experience freedom: tour to the twelve articles in Memmingen!

Experience freedom: tour to the twelve articles in Memmingen!

On May 26, 2025, there is a significant tour of freedom in Memmingen, which introduces citizens and visitors into the exciting history of the “12 Article of the Peasantry”. These articles, which were developed during the German Peasant War in 1525, are considered one of the first written stipulations for human and freedom rights in Europe, namely the Magna Carta from 1215.

The tour begins at 3 p.m. at the Dietrich-Bonhoeffer House and has a period of about two hours. At a price of € 9 per person, a prior booking is required, which can be made on the homepage of Tourismus Memmingen or by phone on 08331 850-173. The event is completed in the Kramerzunftstube at the Wine Market, which is considered a symbol of the lived freedom. memmingen not only conveyed historical facts in an understandable way, but also the meaning of the events for today's Emphasized freedom rights.

historical background of the twelve articles

The "twelve articles" were written in a time of great unrest. On March 6, 1525, around 50 representatives of Upper Swabian farmers met in Memmingen. Just a day later, on March 7, 1525, the Christian Association of Peasants, also known as the Upper Swabian Confederation, was founded. The articles themselves were officially adopted on March 15 and 20, 1525 and quickly spread through the invention of the book pressure, which led to the circulation of around 25,000 copies. Wikipedia notes that the articles contain claims for the right to vote for the municipalities for their pastor, the return of community forests and the abolition of the small tithe.

In addition, the twelve articles required a limitation of the frond services and the abolition of inheritance tax. The creation of these demands is reflected in the Memmingen articles, which were already required by 25 villages to improve the city administration on February 16, 1525. This gathering is considered an early "constituent assembly", which aimed at social and political reforms.

long -term effects

The twelve articles were written by various personalities, including Sebastian Lotzer, and over the centuries after their appearance, were considered the basis for numerous social and political reforms. Some of the goals mentioned in these articles were only achieved with the revolution of 1848/49. In addition, the creation of the twelve articles in a mosaic comic that will be published in April 2025 is discussed.

Today's event not only offers an insight into a formative epoch in German history, but also reminds of the ongoing challenges with regard to human rights and social justice. The interest in the history and the influence of the "twelve articles" on today's society are unmistakable, and the tour of freedom in Memmingen invites you to explore these topics.